The Dutch government said on Tuesday it did not recommend its employees use TikTok or other apps run by countries with “offensive cyber programs” on their professional devices.
According to the Dutch Intelligence Service (AIVD), there is an “increased risk of espionage” through the use of TikTok or other apps run by countries such as Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
The Dutch government has advised its employees against using the app, hoping to reach a “structural solution” that makes it impossible to use it on its professional devices.
“The central government must be able to carry out its work in full security, also through its mobile devices,” said Alexandra van Hufflen, Dutch Secretary of State for Digitalization.
The government wants all employees’ office phones configured so that only pre-approved apps or functions can be installed and used.
As such, the Netherlands will follow federal agencies Canada, the UK and the US, which have banned TikTok from government devices over data security concerns.
